ALEXANDRA LAWRENCE won on the undulating course impressively, with his clubmate Samuel Macaullay coming home next. Alastair Aitken reports Lawrence previously in the league races was 4th at Trent Park in 2025 but he has been, on several other occasions in the first 8. In the mild conditions, on the dry course, it was Flurry Grierson, in third place, who led Highgate Harriers to a slight winning margin over Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets. Highgate finished all their 12 scorers within the first 30 places but, will have to work hard to keep their amazing record of team wins, with Victoria Park & TH looking stronger than ever.
Good for their age, who were first in their category were M50, Jim Cooper 108; M60 Dave Brown 181 and M70 Olon Hansen 339 of the 341 finishers.
Molly Bryan (30), coached by Steve Hobbs, won well at Claybury. She was 6th in the corresponding race last year but was 2nd at Horsendon Hill in November. Her club Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets, won the league last year. A big change came at Claybury when Highgate Harriers team won with 446 to Victoria Park’s 438. In the last 15 years, at least, Highgate have not won the league outright, however they were back at Woodford showing they could be factor this year. Jade de Santos who was 2nd. also was from Victoria Park. In 4th place was the first W40 Rebecca Bunting of London Heathside. The other age leaders were, W60 Theodosia Green 128, and Gail Hennessy W70 was 133 of the 161 that competed.
For the young in the league Woodford Green& Essex Ladies appear to be building up a big score but the surprise was Highgate Harriers, having two winners in the Under 12’s who were recently both Middlesex Young athletes league under 12’s winners, Owen Lewis & Florence Philips, not a category Highgate were that successful at in recent years.
Two who did continue to impress with many wins in the league were, Under16’ Jonja March and Arjuna Pflug both winning again.